City names 2009 teacher of year

Frenishee B. Smith is Richmond's 2009 Teacher of the Year.

The third-grade teacher at J.E.B. Stuart Elementary School was tapped as the city's best teacher during a ceremony tonight at the Richmond Marriott.

The festivities for the naming of the city's 20th Teacher of the Year included nominees from every city school, with nine other finalists sharing the spotlight with Smith.

A Richmond teacher since 1999, Smith was nominated for the top award in 2004 while teaching at the old A.V. Norrell Elementary School.

For winning, she received $1,000.

Candice K. Barkley, a math teacher at Open High School, was first runner-up and won $750.

Keri K. Treadway, at William Fox Elementary School, was second runner-up and won $500.

The other finalists were elementary schools teachers Karrie A. Evans at Blackwell; Diane N. Glover, Holton; Deborah V. Haw, Westover Hills; Donna P. Jeffrey, Francis; Shaunte L. Means, Woodville; Latoya Smith, Southampton; and Summer J. Spencer, Clark Springs. -- Zachary Reid